High Marks For Barton Include A 100% Pass Rate on NCLEX

WILSON, N.C. — Barton College’s School of Nursing has learned that 19 out of 19 graduates (May 2012) taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) passed with flying colors. This follows another stellar report of 100% NCLEX pass rate for the Barton College School of Nursing Class of 2011 last year. Barton received this good news on the heels of the “U.S. News &World Report” listing Barton among the top-tier 2013 Best Regional Colleges in the South and “The Princeton Review” recognizing Barton as one of the 2013 Best Colleges in the Southeast.

“The campus community was thrilled to receive the news of a 100% NCLEX pass rate for the second consecutive year,” said Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. “It is gratifying to see the hard work and perseverance of our nursing students and our nursing faculty validated through this laudable recognition. And, Barton’s national recognitions by ‘The Princeton Review’ and ‘U.S. News & World Report’ attest to the College’s focus and long-standing commitment to help our students achieve their academic goals.”

For the past four decades, the Barton College School of Nursing has exhibited a steadfast tradition of academic excellence and a strong reputation for educating and preparing nurses for the professional healthcare industry. Barton’s nursing program has implemented comprehensive admission standards to bring the most qualified students into the program.

Under the leadership of Dr. Sharon I. Sarvey, dean of the School of Nursing, Barton’s program also experienced a vigorous revamp last year of the nursing curriculum based on rigorous assessment that reflects the constant evolution of nursing practice. Additional changes emphasized effective preparation for NCLEX both during formal education and after graduation. The curriculum is designed to foster a commitment to the continuous learning essential to support the knowledge and skills to perform well in an increasingly challenging profession.

“I am so pleased to celebrate this success with our 2012 graduates,” shared Dr. Sarvey. “Our faculty take great pride in guiding our students through a challenging course of study that prepares them well for this board exam. For over 40 years, Barton has had a signature distinction of producing excellent practitioners for the health care industry, and I am extremely proud of these students who have not only mastered this stringent academic program but are already positively impacting the health organizations with whom they are affiliated.”

Dr. John P. Marsden, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Barton College, was equally pleased but not surprised by the success of the nursing graduates. “The success of our graduates is a true testament to their dedication and commitment to this arduous but rewarding program of study. Barton’s faculty are to be commended for their highly effective teaching methods coupled with a distinctive level of engagement with students in the classroom and clinical settings.” This combination of teaching and learning strategies creates an environment where students think more critically and develop a heightened level of effective clinical judgment.

Barton’s nursing program offers some of the highest ratios of clinical-to-classroom hours in the state. Nursing students receive firsthand clinical experiences at nearby Wilson Medical Center, Johnston Memorial Hospital, and Wayne Memorial Hospital, as well as at major medical facilities, including: Wake Medical Center, Rex Hospital, and Nash Health Systems. In settings ranging from community hospitals to major medical centers, Barton faculty are side by side with the students, teaching, mentoring, and supporting their learning experience.

“In addition to excelling academically, these nursing graduates have set the bar for community service among their classmates as they raised awareness and funding for national health issues including breast cancer and heart health this past year,” added Dr. Sarvey. “Their leadership through service is a legacy for future nursing classes to mirror.”

Founded in 1971, Barton College’s School of Nursing celebrates a historically well-respected program among its peers across the state. Barton’s School of Nursing is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Student success in this nursing program is an excellent example of why Barton continues to be recognized nationally by U.S. News &World Report and The Princeton Review.